The Things We Do for our Kids

So have you yet seen the one piece of evidence that shouts to the world that school is back in session? No, I'm not talking about big yellow buses on the roads, or crossing guards at every corner, or the ransacked snack aisle at the grocery store.I'm talking about.... FUNDRAISERS!

OK, so it's for a GREAT cause. The school needs new science lab stuff and materials for the library or a new overhead projector. But let's face it. It doesn't matter. Nobody's really thinking about the fact that we'll be helping out the school - and, ultimately, the kids that attend that school - by participating in these fundraisers. No. We're thinking..."Great. There's another twenty bucks I have to shell out." Maybe you're one who steers clear of all school aged children and the parents who have them, avoiding that inevitable moment when they pull the order sheets from their back pockets and say, "Do you want to buy some cookie dough? It's only $15 for this tiny container. You may even be able to squeeze two dozen cookies out of it."

Do you turn off all the lights and hit the floor when you see children walking up your driveway with a wagon full of Girl Scout cookies or a gigantic box of candy bars? Or let the answering machine pick up...in case it's one of your nieces or nephews calling?

Hey. The fundraiser organizers are brilliant! They have a little secret. And the secret is...CASH. For the kids! Sell items and get a cash pick from the box. Kids will sell their little hearts out to get the chance to pick a twenty dollar bill from that box. Only, what they don't tell you is that there is one twenty among hundreds of ones. Chances are pretty slim you're going to pull out that twenty.

My kids have won plenty of cheezy toys and a few bucks from these fundraisers. And even when they see, firsthand, how cheezy those toys are, the next year, they still HAVE to win that fuzzy green hat with the propeller on the top. And they work like crazy to earn it.But wait! Do they? I mean, who really does all the work? I will say I do make my kids call a few people - like Grandma and Grandpa and Aunt and Uncle. But I'll admit, I sent out two emails during the FIRST week of school, soliciting the friends and family I love, begging them to dig deep into their pockets for my son and daughter. It doesn't matter that it's for magazines (and renewals do count, so you don't even have to buy anything NEW) or for Preferred Vendor KeyCards that have TONS of great deals on them and I am actually very excited to get one myself because my other one recently expired. No. It doesn't matter how great the product is. Begging for help is not high on my "fun" list. Knowing that when people see your email, they roll their eyes and think, "Oh, no. Not another one." Ugh.

But guess what? I do it anyway! WHY? Because I love my kids and want them to get stuff. My son earned a Cedar Point Amusement Park trip FREE last year for selling magazines. This year, we're going for the cash prizes - come on. He's 13. He needs cash for important stuff like paintballing and slurpees. If my daughter sells twenty KeyCards, she will earn 2 FREE cards (for Mom and Dad), plus a $15 gift certificate to the mall (for her!) Claires, here we come!

I want to end by asking forgiveness and understanding from all my friends and family who will be receiving pleas from us this year for fundraiser help. And I am probably speaking for thousands of people just like me when I say we really don't want to BUG you or force you to spend money you don't have. We just want to help our kids. If you can order something, great! If not, we totally understand. But, because we're good parents, we have to ask.

Currently, Lyndsey's selling cookie dough, wrapping paper, and all that good stuff. Hey - the stuff might be expensive but there are some great gift ideas. Plus, remember - it's for a good cause.

So...wait for it....

Cookie dough anyone?